Best lens for puppy photography?

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ahsanford

ahsanford

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Aug 16, 2012
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#1
I can't believe I'm posting this, but hey, here we go.

We're getting another dog, and alongside the obvious house prep we are doing, I am getting geeked out for puppy photos. I'll be a shooting a 5D3 in non-scripted situations handheld without a flash -- I'll resort to toy/treat-baiting for eye contact, but that's about it.

If the pup is asleep or very still, the 100L immediately comes to mind. But for general awake and active shots, I'm leaning towards a wider fast prime to keep the ISO non-stratospheric.

I was just curious, but given the nightmarish combo of [black lab] + [indoor lighting] + [moving subject], is there a 'best' optical tool to capture that?

- A
 
#2
hi ahsanford!

I think you've already got the clue...

I'd go the same route I'd take when taking pictures of toddlers and or children. Maybe the shutter even faster.
So (refering to FF) a 24-70/2.8 (mk I or II) might be great or a 85/1.8. A 135/2.0 would give you more distance, but a lively puppy might bridge the distance almost at sonic speed ;)

Zoom gives you more flexibility if the puppy is awake and thinking/aware that you're playfellow.
If you've got the chance for a constant distance, I'd go for a 85/1.8, 135/2.0 or the mentioned 100/2.8 L macro. If the distance is too close for that FL of course feel free to use anything between 70 or 35 mm. I wouldn't go below 35 because of the distortion making the puppy not looking cute anymore.

Keep shutter speed way above 1/200 if it's moving. As high as possible to keep ISO to the desired level.

If it's a black lab maybe go for partial or even spot metering.

And don't forget to cuddle it ;) (if you don't have an allergy ;) )
 
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#4
ahsanford said:
I can't believe I'm posting this, but hey, here we go.

We're getting another dog, and alongside the obvious house prep we are doing, I am getting geeked out for puppy photos. I'll be a shooting a 5D3 in non-scripted situations handheld without a flash -- I'll resort to toy/treat-baiting for eye contact, but that's about it.

If the pup is asleep or very still, the 100L immediately comes to mind. But for general awake and active shots, I'm leaning towards a wider fast prime to keep the ISO non-stratospheric.

I was just curious, but given the nightmarish combo of [black lab] + [indoor lighting] + [moving subject], is there a 'best' optical tool to capture that?

- A
Click to expand...

EF 50mm f/1.4 IS usm
 
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#7
slclick said:
Pancake.

See, I'm thinking you're down on all fours, moving fast, need something light, small front element in case you get licked ;)
Click to expand...

Good thinking, right idea. Consider also that if I'm shooting alone, I'll be shooting one handed as a treat or toy will be in the other hand, so a pickle jar prime, 70-200 f/2.8, etc. will be very tough to hold steady.

- A
 
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#9
I've tried using fast primes, but keeping my puppy still is not easy, so he is either too close or too far away. I generally use my 24-70, but a 5X fast zoom would be better. My 24-70L was not fast enough.

Photographing black dogs is difficult. Mine is a toy and small, so that makes a difference as well.

My Black poodles were captured with my Nikon 990 P&S back in 2001 when DSLR's were just starting to come out. 3.3mp!

spud%20%26%20Max%20c12-06-2001-XL.jpg
 
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#13
slclick said:
Forget about the Nifty Fifties, the Pancake is hands down the best value in a lens (FF) Canon has made. Not quite wide, not quite normal, just right.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but I'm outright disqualifying the pancake because it's STM. I generally don't take dedicated portraits, so I need very fast focusing and relatively quick shutters to capture pets, kids, etc.

Again, the criteria will be:

  • Handheld, no flash, poor light --> fast lens, f/2.8 (or more likely f/2, f/1.4)
  • AF with USM focusing (or non-Canon equivalent) is a must
  • Wider FL as we'll be indoors, perhaps 35-50 seems about right. But much wider than that will distort the face.
  • Need to shoot one handed on my 5D3 as the other hand will be treat/toy-baiting, so it can't be a huge/heavy lens.

My gut says, all things considered above, I should get a 35mm f/2 IS USM. The IS is wasted on a moving pup, of course, but the rest of the specs line up.

Talk me down / find me a better option. Go.

- A
 
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#19
I have a lab, in the past I raised them and trained them for hunting and field trials.

First, I wouldn't invest much in a puppy lens. They grow so fast that he is a dog before you know it.

But I would use my 35mm f/1.4L in the house. Low light and all. But the real problem is if he is a black, you will work yourself to death trying to get enough light on his face. Good WB, killing the highlights and blacks to get detail in post are tough. A soft flash would help. Turn on all the lights, open the widows or get outside.

Save the big bucks for a decent telephoto for the outdoor shots, water entry shots, fetching shots, running shots those are the great ones. Puppy first swim, puppy in the yard fetching all require a telephoto. What would best, a 300mm f/2.8L II, start there and go down till you find one you can afford.

That is my advice provided you have a lab that will do what it is bred to do, if you have a lap lab then you will probably go a different way.
 
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